Colombo, Sri Lanka – The launch of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service led by Elon Musk, has been put on hold in Sri Lanka due to ongoing concerns about national security. Government officials say services will only go live once data access rights are guaranteed in case of legal or security needs.
Pending Legal Interception Approval
Although the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) issued a license to Starlink in 2024 under the previous government, and later approved its tariff packages, operations have not yet begun.
Deputy Minister of Information Technology, Eranga Weeraratne, told Daily Mirror that Starlink must ensure the government has the legal right to access communication data in situations involving national security.
“There may be instances where Starlink services are misused. In such cases, our security agencies must have the right to access data for legal action,” Weeraratne said.
Background: Regulatory and Licensing Milestones
Starlink first approached Sri Lanka in March 2024. Soon after, Parliament passed a major amendment to the country’s telecommunications law—the first in 28 years—which opened the door for satellite internet providers.
Under the current administration, TRCSL approved five Starlink broadband packages, priced between Rs. 9,200 and Rs. 1.8 million per month. The service was to be delivered through Starlink Lanka (Private) Ltd.
However, while tariffs and licensing are in place, full operational approval depends on finalizing data interception protocols. The Ministry of Defence and TRCSL are both involved in ongoing discussions with Starlink.
Next Steps
Until an agreement is reached to allow legal data interception, the Sri Lankan government says Starlink’s launch will remain paused. Talks are still in the early stages, but officials have made it clear: national security comes first.
